The Proper Calendar for the United States celebrates the Optional Memorial of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos (1819-1867). He was born in Fussen, Germany, entered the diocesan seminary, and, coming to know the charism of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, joined the order and was sent to North America. Ordained a priest in 1844, he began his pastoral ministry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as assistant pastor of his confrere Saint John Neumann, serving also as Master of Novices and dedicating himself to preaching. He became a full-time itinerant missionary preacher, preaching in both English and German in a number of different states. He died from yellow fever in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 4, 1867.